Folks,

We all know that the GM Intake Manifold set (89017400) has been out for quite some time using a new design with a metal carrier. Felpro knows about this, I myself called them to complain about this in Feb 06.

I just got off the phone with a Felpro Tech person named Harvey, I tried to find out if they had updated their design as well. Nope. I complaned to him about this and he told me that there were no immediate (3-6 months) plans to change the design even though they've changed all the other GM gaskets to also have a metal carrier.

So if we buy the FelPro Head kit, (everything from the head up) we then have to toss the IM gaskets and spend another $50-60 for the GM gaskets.

The really bad thing is that he said that I (we) weren't customers, the distributer was. So if I had any issues, I should go to AutoZone / Advance and talk to their managers and then to their distributers rep to complain and that FelPro offered no "Customer Service" to end users of their products.

Now isn't that just a fine attitude.. Thought I would share!

Take care,

-Chip

Moving to general...

That certainly doesn't sound like a very enlightened customer service policy. When you consider that Felpro does advertise to the end user in numerous car and performance magazines, it seems inconsistent and non-productive to reject an end user under the guise that their direct customer is the distributor. Well, duh....

I wouldn't worry too much about it. The Market will adjust to real demand. If Felpro doesn't step up and begin providing these gaskets to the aftermarket, someone else will. Even solid companies with good reputations sometimes have to get a lesson in market economics now and then.

On the other hand, keep in mind that the increase in purchases of the metal framed LIM gasket and subsequent drop in regular Felpro IM gaskets might not be apparent to Felpro. Most people are buying these through the dealer or GMPD, as they know that'* the only current source. Therefore, there is likely not the demand being conveyed back through retail feedback.

At the same time, more of the 3800s are reaching the age when these gaskets need replacing. Mechanics and shadetrees not familiar with the availability of the new gasket will still be buying the regular Felpros.

Blah, blah, blah, etc.....

When I did a set toward the beginning of the year, maybe about March or April, I mentioned the new gaskets to my parts supplier. His response was that he'd bet that Felpro "one upped" GM like they did on the upper. He called his Felpro distributor and found the same thing that you did. They did not have a newer design, and had no plans on getting one. The feeling was that theirs worked just fine. Whether or not the service shop section of where I get my parts uses the Felpro, or the GM, I can't say. I should find out. As it is now, I just get my upper gaskets there, and head off to the dealer for the lowers.

As a related aside...

When I bought mine at the local dealer, I chatted with the parts sales guy for a bit about the UIM and LIM gasket issue on the 3800. He stated that even though it'* probably too early to tell long term, he knows that they have not yet had anyone back that got the aluminum framed gaskets. The mechanics there are happy to have a better product to put in as a replacement.

He told me that they keep UIM * and the LIM gaskets in stock all the time....contrary to what the service manager told me just a few months prior...

Honestly...most (90+%) of us will never aim for a head kit.

I agree it'* a poor decision on their part to not be proactive, however... companies do this all the time.

Fel-Pro - Grr ... Gm wants $57.00 for the LIM gasket locally...

On that note, it looks as if I'm going to have an extra Fel-Pro LIM gasket. If this is the case, and someone wants it.. Send me a message here.

Cheers... (And missing my SSE...)
-Chip

Just to clarify, have we actually seen Fel Pro'* LIM gaskets fail yet? I'm all on board with the GM metal gasket, but if Fel Pro feels their product is good enough, do we have experience otherwise?

Although I must add that they have a really warped idea of who their customers are. Parts dealers don't use their products, they just resell them. We're clearly the customer. Someone needs to go back to marketing school.

BTW - this is the current part number for the LIM gasket...at least as of a month ago.

89017825

I don't want to get too far off topic, but I should mention that I bought mine last month under the part number:

89017816 (the original P/N listed)

It does seem to vary by Dealer/Location/something. Or maybe they just have old P/Ns in their system down here. :?